World No.1 Rafael Nadal is hoping to end his successful 2017 season on a high note by winning the prestigious end-of-year ATP Finals.
The 31-year-old has already qualified for the eight-player tournament after winning five titles on the tour this season, including the French and US Open. He leads the ATP Race to London with a total of 9365 points, almost 2000 points more than second place Roger Federer. In terms of trophies, this year is already Nadal’s most successful since 2013.
“I have never won the ATP Finals and it is obvious that I am hopeful of doing it (this year), but there are seven other players who also want to do it,” EFE news quoted Nadal as saying on Tuesday.
Nadal has played in the Tour Finals seven times in his career so far. His best performances were reaching the final on two occasions in 2010 and 2013. Overall, he has a 16-12 win-loss record at the event.
With his eyes on the big prize, Nadal is refusing to let his No.1 status hinder him. In August he started his fourth stint at the top of the Emirates rankings and his first in almost three years. Whilst the Spaniard is relishing on his rise following an injury-stricken 2016, he is keen to play down its significance.
“For me, being number 1 does not have any influence, it is one more achievement. I see it as recompense for a career,” he said.
“I do not feel better being number 1 or 2. My inner feelings do not make me think about this before a match, I just think about what I need to do to beat my rival.”
Staying at the top will be a tough call with Federer aiming to dethrone him. The Swiss 36-year-old will be able to make up ground over the next two months due to having no ranking point to defend. Despite Nadal’s calm approach to his position, coach Carlos Moya recently said that finishing the year as world No.1 was a goal for the ten-time French Open champion.
“Of course, who wouldn’t be motivated for that?” Moya told tennis.com. “That was not his main goal at the beginning of the year, but now it became a goal that he can achieve. No more Slams for the rest of the year, so probably keeping No. 1 will be one of them.”
Before he begins the Asian swing of the tour, Nadal will be in Prague this weekend to play in the inaugural Laver Cup. A team competition between Europe and the rest of the world.
